Hearing loops: The preferred assistive listening technology

The benefits of hearing loop technology are discussed. To receive the signal from a hearing loop, the user's hearing aid, remote control, or wireless gateway device needs to feature an inductor with an open magnetic circuit, known as a telecoil. All that is required of the user is the push of a button on the hearing device to access the hearing loop or telecoil mode. Hearing loop systems at box office windows can facilitate communication between staff members and customers, and significantly enhance the customer's overall purchase experience, as they allow a clear speech signal to be transmitted directly from the staff member's microphone to the customer's hearing device. The performance of a hearing loop system is largely dependent on its design and skillful installation. Special precaution needs to be taken when designing a hearing loop system for any large venue, especially when the building structure contains metal, and when multiple hearing loops are to be set up in close proximity, such as in multiplex theater settings. Despite the higher up-front cost, a hearing loop installation may result in a lower per-user cost, as the number of users grows over time due to the dramatic benefits hearing loops provide over FM or IR systems.